If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

anybody do any guard rail work?

i ahve been asked to bid on a guard rail going around a swimming pool at a health club here. i have done smaal stuff like this before, but never on this scale. i would like to know an average price per foot completed. i have to replace 4,860 feet. the design is 1 1/4 square tube on top and bottom, in ten foot sections. with 3/8 square stock on 4 inch centers. pretty simple and classic design. any help on bidding this would be great. ask me more questions if need more info.thanks

GraaaVeee

I did railings, grab bars etc. for years and never came up with a /ft. price due to the different materials and location conditions. My best answer is bid it at T&M and if they want a /ft. breakdown, well just divide it up. These are sweet in & out jobs that only tax your patience due to the repetitive nature.

Oh, by-the-way, I've been here a long, long time and this is my first post.....

Are you responsible for the entire project? Mounting posts (concrete?), gates, etc?

Many times light poles will be incorporated into fence design.

Is the terrain level or will it require that sections be "stepped"?

People vs equipment access gates.
Check with your insurance company to insure you're covered against any potential claims.

Once these factors are considered, I would guess that something like 2x material cost will be in the ballpark.

Just my .02

Is this a public health club subject to OSHA safety regulations or is it private? I'm guessing that it's private if they're willing to pay someone for ironwork, but OSHA is pretty specific about handrails, their spacing, and their size requirements. As I recall, handrails can be a maximum of 38" off the ground and can be a minimum of 2-1/4" in diameter...round or square. (Max dia is around 2-5/8" I think). SundownIII's point about checking with your insurance company is a great one....might try checking with their insurance company as well...

it will be made of steel, it is a private club with membership. my insurance will cover liability. and the department of health services is the "governing" body when it comes to rules. the manager did mention thinking about making it out of stainless b/c of the corrosive nature of the pools. i also mentioned price. and also powder coating the steel would make it last much longer than just painted. i will also have to remove the old and install the new including the concrete work as well. more questions about it just ask. i like the materials times 2 but that might not cover concrete and all, and what if i have to call in a contractor for the concrete work. i dunno. oh, i almost forgot, the railing is not on the same level. it is all level (no hills) but on different levels with stairs and handicap ramps, and a baby pool on hte upper deck. i will take some pics tomorrow and post them, maybe that would help.

it will be made of steel, it is a private club with membership. my insurance will cover liability. and the department of health services is the "governing" body when it comes to rules. the manager did mention thinking about making it out of stainless b/c of the corrosive nature of the pools. i also mentioned price. and also powder coating the steel would make it last much longer than just painted. i will also have to remove the old and install the new including the concrete work as well. more questions about it just ask. i like the materials times 2 but that might not cover concrete and all, and what if i have to call in a contractor for the concrete work. i dunno. oh, i almost forgot, the railing is not on the same level. it is all level (no hills) but on different levels with stairs and handicap ramps, and a baby pool on hte upper deck. i will take some pics tomorrow and post them, maybe that would help.

Might I sugest 316 SS? With salt water it's the chlorine ions in the salt that cause a reaction with the cromium in SS that cause it to corrode in many salt water or high chloride aplicication. Due to the higher molybdenum content of 316 SS over the rest it helps to avoid this reaction and prolong the life of the part somwhat longer.

welder_one, Be very careful when you quote this job, especially if you get into doing handi cap rails attached to the railings. Make sure you check ALL of the state and county codes pertaining to the handi cap assist requirements. This may sound silly but check with the fire marshall as well, We did a job a few years ago that we subbed out all of the staircases, catwalks and railings to another company. O.S.H.A. and the county building inspector approved the work, but the fire marshall made us rip out a number of stairs and railings and rebuild them before he signed off on the project.

Another thing to keep in mind when bidding this job is temporary barricades and screens to keep the public out of harms way, it's the little things that will add up quick. Just by the minimal description you have given us I would take a wild guestimate in the 50,000 to 60,000 dollar neighborhood. Hope I helped somewhat with your question. Dave

If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!

i was thinking that number. the temporary barricades will be no problem, i plan on building the guard rail in sections, and remove an old section to replace with new section, no breaks in barricade this way. i have talked with another contractor that does alot of work for this club, and i will be subing the concrete work to him and his boys. this will help a bunch. here are the pics. the first one i am standing at the back side with my left to the building. #2 is looking straight across the pool deck. #3 is facing a gate just the other side of the handicap ramp#4 is showing the upper pool deck (baby pool) #5 is showing two gates and the handicap ramp. all gates must be self closing and self latching. hope this sheds a little more light on it

Any particular reason they don't want it made out of aluminum? Would sure be a lot less money than SS. Not really that much more than steel by the time you factor in the prep and painting of the steel.